Diego Simeone[1] was handed a red card after flying into a rage which appeared to be sparked by Liverpool[2] fans in the crowd amid chaotic scenes that followed the Reds’ late winner against Atletico Madrid[3].
The long-time LaLiga[4] manager was forced to watch as his team’s full-throated comeback was left in ruins thanks to the latest of goals by Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk[5].
As Anfield went wild however, Simeone seemed incensed by the crowd behind him, and was seen engaging with passionate fans close to the pitch.
Taunted by the jubilant home faithful, the Argentine was held back by stewards, but wrestled free of the grip of his coaching team to appear to make an obscene middle-finger gesture at fans in the stands.
Simeone was eventually handed a red card by referee Maurizio Mariani and dismissed with seconds left to play at Anfield.
On commentary for TNT Sports, Darren Fletcher watched with amazement as Simeone departed down the tunnel.
Diego Simeone tussled with jubilant Liverpool fans after the latest of winners from Virgil van Dijk in added time
The Atletico Madrid manager had to be restrained by his own coaching team and stewards during the touchline clash
Simeone gestured furiously at referee Maurizio Mariani but was handed his marching orders
‘Simeone’s in the crowd!’ the commentator informed the viewers – and co-pundit Ally McCoist. ‘He’s absolutely lost the plot. I don’t know what’s been said to him.’
Fletcher added: ‘I think he feels like he’s been wronged in some way, by the people on that side – all we do know is that he’s been sent off.’
When asked why he had responded in that way, Simeone told Movistar Futbol[6]: ‘They’ve been talking about putting on a good show, but they insult you from behind the team the whole game, and you can’t say anything because I’m the coach.
‘My reaction to the insult isn’t justifiable.
‘And of course, with the opponent scoring just in time, you turn around and they keep insulting you, and with the tension, what happens is what happens.’
He added in his press conference later that he regretted not holding in his emotions, as per TNT Sport.
But Steve McManaman on punditry duty said that he ‘didn’t mind’ Simeone’s outburst, noting that the atmosphere was ‘highly charged’.
‘He gives as good as he gets, Diego Simeone, and that’s why people like him around the world.
Simeone said after the match that he had been insulted for the whole match by home fans
Atletico Madrid came close to an opening Champions League win before being beaten late on
‘He’s very passionate, he sticks up for side, and some Liverpool fans seem to be gesticulating at him.
‘But he doesn’t speak English anyway, so I don’t know how he understands them,’ McManaman teased.
Laura Woods alleged that there had been ‘a little bit of water being thrown around too’, but it is unclear whether that came from the fans or the bench.
Woods added that Simeone, who has managed the Madrid club for nearly 14 years, was reliably ‘box office’.
Simeone might have thought an all-important point in his first league phase tie was in the bag after an impressive comeback.
Andy Robertson put the hosts ahead in just the fourth minute, with Mohammed Salah netting a second two minutes after that.
But after Liverpool saw a penalty shout overturned by VAR in the 36th minute, momentum began to swing towards the visitors.
Marcos Llorente scored for the Spanish side three minutes into added time, before adding a second to his tally in the 81st minute.
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Liverpool 3-2 Atletico Madrid: Van Dijk pulls off another late escape to spark Simeone meltdown
But with moments to go on the clock, Van Dijk stepped up and forced a towering headed past Jan Oblak to see Arne Slot’s side claim victory in the most dramatic fashion.
Simeone was more magnanimous at full-time in conversation with UEFA, and praised both teams for their display on a fast-paced night.
‘The truth is that it was a beautiful game, in a fantastic stadium in front of an incredible crowd, against a team full of great players,’ Simeone said.
‘We had our weapons and we gave our all to take the game in the direction that we wanted and I think we were dangerous.’
References
- ^ Diego Simeone (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Liverpool (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Atletico Madrid (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ LaLiga (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Virgil van Dijk (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Movistar Futbol (x.com)